Doucet leaves Senior Bowl

MOBILE, Ala. - LSU receiver Early Doucet has had a change of heart and has left the Senior Bowl to rehabilitate his hamstring injury.

Doucet said Wednesday morning the hamstring he "tweaked" on Tuesday at a South team practice was fine and he was OK for practice and the game. Later in the day, though, he changed his mind and returned to Baton Rouge to rehab the hamstring, said LSU sports information director Michael Bonnette, who attended Wednesday's South practice along with LSU coach Les Miles.

South coach Mike Nolan of the San Francisco 49ers said Doucet planned to come back on Saturday for the game, which kicks off at 3 p.m. on the NFL Network
"He's going to try to work it out," Nolan said. "He told me he plans to come back for the game, but I don't know if he will be able to play."

In general, Senior Bowl invitees who suffer an injury in game week do not play.

Doucet, a St. Martinville native who is expected to be a late first round pick, had turned in an impressive pair of practices on Monday and Tuesday, and Nolan planned to use him on kick returns.

Doucet is the second LSU player to have an injury affect his Senior Bowl appearance.

Strong safety Craig Steltz chose not to come to Senior Bowl practices or the game after injuring his shoulder in LSU's win over Ohio State in the BCS national championship game.

LSU tailback Jacob Hester, who has been working more at fullback, outside linebacker Ali Highsmith and cornerback Chevis Jackson remain healthy and ready to play Saturday.